Home | The Official Houston Hurricane Recovery Network

E-Mail: Hurricanerecovery@cityofhouston.net

To contact us with comments
or questions, e-mail us at:
hurricanerecovery@cityof
houston.net

Red Cross Shelter Info
713-313-1656

Red Cross
Missing Persons Info
713-313-1656
Available Service Information
2-1-1

FEMA
800-621-3362

SBA
800-659-2955

HUD
866-373-9509

The WorkSource
888-469-5627

Hurricane Ike Hotline
713-368-2741

City of Houston Office of
Emergency Management

Harris County Office of
Emergency Management

General Hurricane Information
and Links

www.houstonhidefromthewind
.org

Hurricane and Disaster
Preparedness Guide

www.readyhoustontx.gov
Preparedness Guide

Emergency Readiness for
People With Disabilities

City of Houston Emergency
Plan

Fire Dept. Emergency News
and Links

Harris County Expands
Weekend Hours for Debris
Drop-Off Sites for
Unincorporated County
Residents

Texans - Here's How to Speed
Disaster Assistance

Three Ways To Apply for An
SBA Disaster Loan

"Right of Entry" Collection
Centers (updated 9.26)

Harris County Opens NEW
Debris Drop-Off Site for
Unincorporated County
Residents (.pdf)

HARRIS COUNTY WARNS
AGAINST UNAUTHORIZED
DUMPSITES AFTER
HURRICANE IKE, updated
September 30 (.pdf)

EL CONDADO DE HARRIS
ADVIERTE CONTRA SITIOS
NO AUTORIZADOS DE
DEPOSITOS DE BASURA
DESPUES DEL HURACAN IKE (.pdf)

Texas Renters May Be Eligible
for Disaster Assistance

Report Power Outages/Find
Gas (.pdf)

FEMA Web Site

Harris County Website

Red Cross Shelters

AMERICAN RED CROSS
OPENS LARGE SHELTER IN
HOUSTON TO HOUSE
EVACUEES RETURNING BY BUS

CenterPoint Energy Outages
and Restorations

Post Disaster Food Protection
Guidelines

Well Water Testing

Houston 311 Self Service
Online

United Way "After the Storm"
Resource Guide

Comcast Restoration Efforts

One Week Until FEMA Deadline

The deadline for homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered damages from Hurricane Ike is Monday Jan. 12. This deadline also applies to the SBA. Assistance includes grants to help pay for temporary hous...

Children Receive Extended Health Benefits

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has extended Medicaid coverage for approximately 34,000 children in the Houston-Beaumont areas because of concerns that Hurricane Ike may have disrupted the ability of families to get and r...

UTMB Receives FEMA Funding

FEMA has approved a total of $73 million in funds for the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) on Galveston Island. In December, FEMA announced $39.6 million in funds had been obligated as an advance to repair the damaged un...

Avoid Roofing Rip-Offs

Driving around Houston, it's easy to see there are still a lot of roofs sporting blue tarps. Before you get to work repairing your roof, be sure to verify roofing contractor credentials, ask for references, ask how long they've been in business, and ...

Opportunities for Legal Assistance

Attorneys with the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program will be offering monthly Legal Clinics throughout 2009 for individuals affected by Hurricane Ike. The clinics, open 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., are free of charge. With the exception of holiday we...

FEMA Unveils New Manufactured Homes

Some Texans displaced from their homes as a result of Hurricane Ike will be the first to occupy a new type of manufactured home. Contractors are delivering the first of 30 new units to the soon-to-be-opened temporary community site, the...

DHAP-Ike Families Must Follow the Rules

If you are in the DHAP-Ike program, there are certain rules that must be followed in order to ensure your continued eligibility. If you don't, you may be terminated from the program, and you will not be able to return to any FEMA...

Transitional Sheltering Program Extended

At the request of the state of Texas, FEMA is extending the deadline for its transitional sheltering program until March 13, 2009. Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) provides temporary hotel/motel lodging for eligible Texans ...

Disaster Recovery Centers

DRC's provide assistance with: Guidance regarding disaster recovery Clarification of any written correspondence received Housing Assistance and Rental Resource information Answers to questions, resolution to problems and referr...

Registered architects with The American Institute of Architects will visit your property - for free - to survey damages resulting from Hurricane Ike. You'll receive a written report to help you negotiate with your insurance company an...

Galveston Apartments Play a Role in FEMA Pilot Program

FEMA is funding the cost of repairing 32 apartment units in the Galveston area under the Rental Repair Pilot Program. The program is designed to be a cost-effective and timely method of getting displaced residents into temporary housing...

Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund Continues Efforts

The need for funding to help meet the humanitarian needs of Hurricane Ike victims continues to be a priority. "Even though three months have passed since the storm, the need for assistance continues to be tremendous," said Alb...

Ike Results in Increased Need at Food Bank

The "Share Your Holidays Food Drive" phone bank at Houston Food Bank (HFB) took a record number of calls this year. So far in 2008, more than 6,000 families have called for assistance. At the same time last year, it was ...

Organization Connects Students With Nonprofits

College and university students from across the country have offered to spend their winter and spring breaks helping communities recover from Hurricane Ike. Candace Linn with Community Collaborations International said she's looking for...

Study Seeks Katrina Evacuees

The Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University is conducting a long-term research study about Hurricane Katrina survivors who have diabetes or are disabled. The criteria are: - do y...

DHAP-Ike Info and FAQ

Frequently used acronyms: · HUD – Department of Housing and Urban Development · DHAP – Disaster Housing Assistance...

SBA for Homeowners

Don't let the name fool you: Small Business Administration loans are for homeowners as well. As of Dec. 15, SBA has approved more than $88 million in loans to 2,200 homeowners in Harris County affected by Hu...

SBA Economic Injury Loans

Small businesses or private, nonprofit organizations in the declared disaster area may be eligible for additional financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), regardless of physical damage, through the ...

Additional Assistance with the SBA Process

For assistance with Small Business Administration (SBA) loan packets, you can call 1-800-659-2955 or visit a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) for face-to-face help. DLOCs are open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. ...

Disaster Unemployment Insurance Deadline Expires, Unless...

The deadline to apply for disaster unemployment insurance through Texas Workforce Commission was Friday Dec. 12, unless the individual provides "good cause" for filing after the deadline. An example of "go...

Mental Health in the Aftermath of Ike

Now that people are in the process of cleaning up the tangible affects of Hurricane Ike, some agencies are encouraging you to also focus on the intangible – that of your mental health. FEMA has compiled a list of signs and symptom...

Hurricane Ike Fast Facts

Third most expensive disaster in FEMA history, behind Katrina and Andrew Invoked the largest evacuation of Texans in our state's history Became the largest search and rescue operation in history Texas ...

College Students Affected by Ike Receive Financial Boost

Lone Star College students and employees impacted by Hurricane Ike have received a helping hand from the Lone Star College Foundation. The Foundation has awarded grants to those with the greatest need. Donations are still being accepted online...

Don't Deny Yourself FEMA Benefits Due To Insurance Coverage

Having insurance is not a reason to be denied FEMA assistance, but it can be an obstacle. For example, if you answer "yes" to the question; "Do you have insurance coverage?" FEMA will not inspect your pro...

Do You Need Help Locating Your Pet?

Houston SPCA's Hurricane Ike rescue and recovery mission began before the storm hit, by evacuating animals from coastal shelters to safety. After the storm, the organization rescued, saved and sheltered more than 1,800 storm pets, fed and shel...

FEMA Denial Not Always Permanent

If you are the head of a household and your home or apartment is not currently liveable, don't give up, even if you've received a FEMA denial letter. Denials often occur as a result of a lack of information or a ...

Navigate FEMA with Online Video Assistance

The Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) has produced a 12-minute video on how to register for disaster assistance through FEMA. You can view the video,at http://www.hchatexas.org/. HCHA is a governmental non-profit corpora...

FEMA Wishes to Separate "Fact from Fiction"

FEMA has requested distribution of the following information regarding its response to citizens affected by Hurricane Ike: MYTH: Only a small percentage of people have been approved for FEMA housing assistance. FACT: More than 73,000 app...

Top Five Reasons for FEMA Ineligibility for Housing

1) Insufficient damage That means the inspection showed your home to be safe, sanitary and functional and you are able to live there. 2) Applicant covered by insurance That means you had an insurance policy that covered da...

You Have 60 Days to Appeal a FEMA Decision

Follow these steps to appeal a FEMA denial decision: Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621- FEMA (3362) to say you wish to appeal. ...

FEMA May Audit, So Save Those Receipts

It's very important to save all of your receipts relating to disaster spending, whether or not you have yet been approved for FEMA or SBA funding. When it comes to FEMA grants, keep receipts for at least THR...

Financial Assistance for Renters

Texas renters who suffered damage to their residences from Hurricane Ike may be eligible for disaster assistance. Federal grants to rent a place to live may be available for renters whose primary residence requires repairs to make it habitable. Eligi...

Tables, Beds, Chairs and Dresser Donations Requested

While many Hurricane Ike Victims are starting from scratch with no furniture, many other residents have extra furniture they are not using. The Furniture Bank of Houston is trying to bring these two types of citizens together. ...

11/03/2008	City of Houston Metro Schedule

11/03/2008	Texas Disaster Assistance Approaches Half a Billion

10/31/2008	Hurricane Ike Disaster Proclamations

10/31/2008	FEMA Phone/Fax Line Always Busy?

10/29/2008	Navigating Insurance Policies

10/27/2008	Turn Tree Waste Into Mulch

10/22/2008	Confusion Remains Over Role of SBA

10/22/2008	Property Tax Rates 2008

10/22/2008	Yard Trimmings Recycling Program Resumes

10/22/2008	Heavy Trash Schedule Resumes

09/11/2008	City of Houston Ordinance 2008-822

Link to the official website
for the City of Houston

DONATE TO RELIEF
EFFORTS!

Checks can be made payable
to Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund:

Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund
c/o The Greater Houston
Community Foundation
4550 Post Oak Place
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77027
www.ghcf.org

Mayor Bill White has
established a relief fund to
help fill unmet human needs
for victims of Hurricane Ike in
Houston, and Harris and
Galveston Counties and other
affected areas. The Fund is
being administered by Albert
Myres, senior vice president
at Reliant Energy, with
fundraising and distribution
overseen by a special citizens
advisory board. The Fund is
now accepting donations and
is assessing humanitarian
needs. People are asked to
mail donations to the above
mailing address or donate
online at the above website.

The Gulf Coast Ike Relief
Fund is modeled after the
successful Katrina/Rita Fund,
which was also managed for
the region by Myres.

To contribute online please go
to www.ghcf.org and then the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund
DONATE NOW button.

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